Snow bike intake

ABSTRACT

A snow bike intake, snow bike conversion kit, and/or air intake pod snow bike conversion kit, having: a throttle body coupling; an elbow-shaped intake duct coupled to the throttle body, a pre-filter body cage coupled at a rear thereof to the duct, and a textile cover fitting about the cage. The duct has an interior angle between 40 and 60 degrees. There are a plurality of flat (interior and exterior surface) sensor mounts disposed about and through the duct, including an octagonal ring of sensor mounts circumscribing the duct body. The cage has a flat front opposite the rear that has a larger diameter than a diameter of the rear. The duct has an aspect ratio of exterior angle length to diameter no greater than 3.5:1 and the duct and prefilter combined has an aspect ratio of exterior angle length to diameter no greater than 4.5:1.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to air intake systems for vehicles,specifically intakes for snow bikes.

Description of the Related Art

Air intake systems for motorized vehicles provide a flow of air into themotor for combustion. Such systems generally include inlets, filters,and manifolds that receive, condition, and channel the air into themotor in a manner that provides adequate air volume into the motor andprotects the motor from foreign materials. Air intake systems sometimesinclude sensors (e.g. O2, mass airflow) and/or injectors (e.g. NitrousOxide).

Various conditions can make it difficult for air intake systems toproperly perform their function. Accordingly, intake accessories, intakesystem modifications, and modified intake systems have been developed inorder to address such issues. Some examples include: problems withmoisture condensation within the air intake system causing water to passthrough the throttle body and into the motor, problems for all-terrainvehicles traveling through bodies of water wherein the air intake is ata vertical level that would be below the level of water when the vehicleis partially submerged, and problems with duct seals failing and therebyair filtration is circumvented.

In the related art, it has been known to modify motorized dirt bikes toadapt them for use in snow/wet conditions and/or to produce motorizedbikes that are specifically adapted for use in snow/wet conditions.

One of the primary snow/wet modifications that is done to a dirt bikeincludes one or more modifications to the intake system of the dirtbike. Where no modification is made, a dirt bike will generallyaccumulate snow, mud, and moisture in the intake housing where the airinlet of the motor resides. While mud and water may accumulate in theintake housing in warmer conditions, mud and water have much higherdensities and flow much better and therefore mud/water that is flippedup into the intake housing (aka airbox) tends to flow right back out,generally leaving residue, but most of the time that residue is not anissue. However, snow will stick and pack into the intake housing chamberand can choke out the inlet, thereby starving the motor of the air itneeds to function properly. This can also cause moisture within an airfilter to freeze and that can choke out, the motor as well. Therefore,performance will decrease over time as a dirt bike is used in snowconditions unless the user spends time cleaning out the intake housingchamber.

Accordingly, there are intake accessories that are generally addedafter-market to dirt bikes that convert them to snow bikes. Some riderstry and seal their air box to prevent snow from accumulating but thiscan fail and can also result in lower air volume. It can also createconditions where liquid water accumulates in the air box, which cancause other problems. Others remove the airbox entirely (or significantportions thereof) in order to try and allow the snow to more easily andquickly fall out of the area around the inlet. One type of intakeaccessory, called simply an “intake” or sometimes called a “pod” or“snorkel intake” includes an extender that extends the inlet apertureaway from the wall of the intake housing chamber (sometimes extendingall the way out of the airbox itself) and also generally includes asimple filter (pre-filter) that keeps snow from entering the intake andthereby protecting the inlet from the snow. By effectively raising theinlet aperture away from the watt of the intake housing chamber, wheresnow is more likely to pack, the intake protects the air intake systemof the bike from the accumulating snow and reduces the frequency that auser must stop and clean out the snow from the intake housing chamber.

Some improvements have been made in the field. Examples of referencesrelated to the present invention are described below in their own words,and the supporting teachings of each reference are incorporated byreference herein:

U.S. Pat. No. 8,151,765, issued to Nagao et al., discloses an aircleaner and downstream sides of throttle valves in throttle bodiesprovided in intake passages are connected by bypass passages. An idlespeed control apparatus provided at a midpoint of the passage controlsamounts of air supplied during an idling operation. End portions of thebypass passages connected to the throttle bodies are located in higherpositions than end portions of the bypass passages connected to the aircleaner so that the bypass passages are inclined downward toward the aircleaner. As a result, water is prevented from blocking the bypasspassages via a simple structure.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,080,078, issued to Zbiral et al., discloses an anti-snowmodule designed for installation into an air filter housing includes asupport plate configured for support in the housing. A partition isprovided for mounting into the interior of the housing of the airfilter. A valve plate is configured to seals [sic] the housing of theair filter below a predetermined differential pressure existing betweenthe interior of the housing of the air filter behind the valve plate andthe exterior of the housing of the air filter and open when thedifferential pressure exceeds a predetermined differential pressurevalue. At least one guide rail is provided on which the valve plate isslideably supported by at least one guide sleeve provided on the valveplate.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,353,899, issued to Abe et al., discloses an improvedsnowmobile component layout structure includes an engine provided atfront portion of the vehicle body, a cylinder head of the engine isinclined by an angle θ rearwards from a vertical axis, a steering shaftextends forwardly of the engine, and an air intake system, including anair cleaner, is provided at, the rear side of the engine. In addition, arider seat is provided on the rear side of the engine, and an elongatedfuel tank is provided below the seat. The air cleaner has an improveddisposition between the fuel tank and the engine. The inventiveconfiguration narrows the spacing between an engine and a rider andconcentrates mass to enhance turning [sic] performance.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,314,931, issued to Yasuda, discloses a snorkel ductincluding a main body portion extended forwardly from an air cleaner inan oblique upper direction with a substantially uniform cross sectionalarea and a bent portion bending at a front end portion thereof. An airinlet is provided at a front end of the bent portion and is opened at aposition where water, dust or the like is difficult to invade. A mainopening portion opened in a lower direction is provided at a portion ofthe main body portion at a vicinity of the bent portion and a smallerdrain hole is opened on a lower side thereof An expansion chamber isattached to a side of the main body portion in order to cover the mainopening portion and the drain hole, and the cross sectional area of themain body portion is rapidly enlarged at the main opening portion tothereby reduce air-flow resistance, prevent pulsation sounds from beinggenerated, and to silence intake noise.

The inventions heretofore known suffer from a number of disadvantageswhich include fitting only a single or a small variety of bike intakesystems, requiring modification to a dirt bike before installation whenconverting a dirt bike to a snow bike, requiring cutting/excisingportions of an intake housing prior to installation, failing to allow abike to intake sufficient air during wet and/or snow conditions, beingdifficult to install, making it difficult to install sensors and/orinjectors into the intake system of a bike, failing to mate properlywith installed sensors and/or injectors and their associated mounts,only permitting sensor/injector mounting at a limited angular range ofdeployment about the circumference of an intake, not allowing formultiple sensors and/or injectors to be mounted on an intake, and/orfailing to improve air volume into an intake system.

What is needed is a snow bike intake, snow bike conversion kit, and/orair intake pod that solves one or more of the problems described hereinand/or one or more problems that may come to the attention of oneskilled in the art upon becoming familiar with this specification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in response to the presentstate of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems andneeds in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currentlyavailable intake systems. Accordingly, the present invention has beendeveloped to provide a snow bike intake, snow bike conversion kit,and/or air intake pod.

According to one embodiment, there is a snow bike intake, snow bikeconversion kit, and/or air intake pod snow bike conversion kit, thatincludes one or more of the following: a throttle body coupling; acoupling device; an intake duct that may be elbow-shaped and/or may beselectably coupleable to the throttle body coupling via the couplingdevice, the duct may have an interior angle between 40 and 60 degrees; apre-filter body cage that may be selectably coupleable at a rear thereofto the duct via a mating structures disposed on the duct and the cage;and/or a textile cover that may be shaped to fit about the cage andselectably attach thereto.

It may be that the duct includes a sensor mount disposed through a bodyof the duct. It may be that the sensor mount is flat on both theexterior and interior surfaces thereof. It may be that the sensor mountis part of an array of sensor mounts disposed in a ring circumscribingand extending through the body of the duct. It may be that the array ofsensors forms a continuous regular polygon about the perimeter of theduct.

It may be that the mating structures are selected from the group ofmating structures consisting of: threading, friction fittings,spring-locks, and locking-lug connectors.

It may be that the cage has a flat front opposite the rear. It may bethat the flat front of the cage has a larger diameter than a diameter ofthe rear.

It may be that the duct has an aspect ratio of exterior angle length todiameter no greater than 3.5:1. It may be that the duct and prefiltercombined has an aspect ratio of exterior angle length to diameter nogreater than 4.5:1.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, orsimilar language does not imply that all of the features and advantagesthat may be realized with the present invention should be or are in anysingle embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to thefeatures and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature,advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language,throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to thesame embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics ofthe invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that theinvention can be practiced without one or more of the specific featuresor advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additionalfeatures and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments thatmay not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

These features and advantages of the present invention become more fullyapparent from the following description and appended claims, or may belearned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order for the advantages of the invention to be readily understood, amore particular description of the invention briefly described abovewill be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that areillustrated in the appended drawing(s). It is noted that the drawings ofthe invention are not to scale. The drawings are mere schematicsrepresentations, not intended to portray specific parameters of theinvention. Understanding that these drawing(s) depict only typicalembodiments of the invention and are not, therefore, to be considered tobe limiting its scope, the invention will be described and explainedwith additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawing(s), in which:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a snow bike intake, according toone embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial side elevational view of a snow bike intake,according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a snow bike intake, according to oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a snow bike intake, according toone embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded side perspective view of a snow bike conversionkit, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the intake duct of FIG. 5, showingan array of sensor mounts, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a snow bike intake, according toone embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a partial side perspective view of an intake duct showing asensor coupled to a sensor mount, according to one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a partially dismantled dirt bikeshowing an intake duct coupled to a throttle body, according to oneembodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of an open air box of a dirt bikeshowing a snow bike intake disposed therein, according to one embodimentof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodimentsillustrated in the drawing(s), and specific language will be used todescribe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitationof the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations andfurther modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, andany additional applications of the principles of the invention asillustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant artand having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered withinthe scope of the invention.

Reference throughout this specification to an “embodiment,” an “example”or similar language means that a particular feature, structure,characteristic, or combinations thereof described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the presentinvention. Thus, appearances of the phrases an “embodiment,” an“example,” and similar language throughout this specification may, butdo not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, to differentembodiments, or to one or more of the figures. Additionally, referenceto the wording “embodiment,” “example” or the like, for two or morefeatures, elements, etc. does not mean that the features are necessarilyrelated, dissimilar, the same, etc.

Each statement of an embodiment, or example, is to be consideredindependent of any other statement of an embodiment despite any use ofsimilar or identical language characterizing each embodiment. Therefore,where one embodiment is identified as “another embodiment,” theidentified embodiment is independent of any other embodimentscharacterized by the language “another embodiment.” The features,functions, and the like described herein are considered to be able to becombined in whole or in part one with another as the claims and/or artmay direct, either directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly.

As used herein, “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “is,” “are,”“characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive oropen-ended terms that do not exclude additional unrecited elements ormethod steps. “Comprising” is to be interpreted as including the morerestrictive terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of.”

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a snow bike intake, according to one embodiment ofthe invention. There is shown an intake duct 20. Disposed about acircumference of the intake duct 20 are an array of sensor mounts 22.The intake duct 20 also includes a sensor mount 24 that is separate fromthe array of sensor mounts 22 disposed along a length of the intake duct20 at a side of the elbow thereof. In addition, the illustrated intakeduct 20 includes a throttle body coupling 30, with a coupling device 32,the throttle body coupling 30 disposed along an end portion of theintake duct 20. Disposed along an end portion opposite the throttle bodycoupling 30 is a prefilter body cage 40 with a front of cage 42 and acoupling collar 44.

The illustrated intake duct 20 is elbow-shaped, wherein the duct 20 hasa bend or crook near a middle portion of the intake duct 20. Theillustrated duct 20 has a bend of approximately 45 degrees, measured asthe angular difference 94 from a straight line between the linear axis93 of a first region of the elbow as compared to the linear axis 92 of asecond region of the elbow (see FIG. 4). However, the elbow of the duct20 may include a bend of a different, such as, but not limited to havinga bend of between about two or more of: 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47,48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 58, 59, and 60 degrees. It has beenobserved that optimal configuration utility during installation withrespect to varieties of air boxes occurs at these angles.

The elbow of the duct 20 advantageously allows for asymmetricpositioning of the large cage 40, wherein rotation of the duct withrespect to the throttle body causes the cage 40 to be placed indifferent locations within the air box and/or air box region wherein theair box is removed) when installed. As many dirt bikes have small airboxes with substantially different configurations from each other, thisallows for the installer to more easily fit a single snow bike intakemodel into a greater variety of dirt bikes without having to modifytheir respective air boxes. Accordingly, manufacturing costs are reducedas fewer models need to be molded and produced. Further, it also allowsfor a larger cage, which results in greater performance of the intake.

As illustrated, the intake duct 20 includes an array of sensor mounts 22and a sensor mount 24. A throttle bottle coupling 30 is coupled to oneend of the duct 20 with coupling device 32. A prefilter body cage 40having a flat front 42 is coupled to the other end of the duct 20 via acoupling collar 44. As a result, the intake duct 20 may couple to avehicle, such as a snow bike, for providing oxygen to a combustionengine. The intake duct 20 may also sense and/or filter the oxygen itprovides and/or inject materials into the intake air stream through oneor more sensors/injectors mounted to the body of the intake duct at thesensor mounts 22 and/or 24.

As shown, the illustrated array of sensor mounts 22 is disposedsubstantially around a circumference of a middle portion of the intakeduct 20 and substantially near the throttle body coupling 30. The arrayof sensor mounts 22 may be configured to mount a variety of sensors,such as, but not limited to: oxygen saturation sensors, condensationsensors, humidity sensors, temperature sensors, dew point sensors,pressure sensors, mass airflow sensors, and so on. Further, injectorsmay be mounted on the sensor mounts, such as but nog limited toanti-detonant injectors (ADI) and oxygen injectors (e.g. Nitrous Oxide).The illustrated sensor mounts 22, 24 provide a diversity of mountingpositions (e.g. lateral positions along the length of the duct, radialpositions about the circumference of the duct) and orientations (e.g.angular orientations about the circumference of the duct). As a result,a variety of sensors/injectors may be coupled to the array of sensormounts 22 even where the dirt bike air box is small or cramped with thesnow bike intake installed.

While particular positions, shapes, and numbers of sensor mounts areillustrated, the array of sensor mounts 22 may have a great variety insize, shape, diameter, etc. for mounting sensors to the intake duct 20.The sensor mounts will generally include parallel flat surfaces(internal to the duct and external to the duct) to which thesensor/injector mounts and will be of a material that may be easilydrilling/punched so that the installer can drill/punch a holetherethrough through which the sensor/injector can extend, therebyhaving access to the interior of the duct. For instance, the duct 20 mayhave a polygonal (e.g. irregular, hexagon, pentagon, square)-array offlat regions for the sensor mounts. Likewise, sensor mounts may behexagonal (or other shaped) mount points, as compared to the illustratedrectangular mounts of the illustrated array 22 or the ovoid shapes ofthe separate mount 24. More, the array of sensor mounts may include anynumber of mounts for mounting sensors, such as, but not limited to, 4-8mounts. Additionally, the array of sensor mounts may not be equallyspaced or sized, and there may be an array with different sizes anddifferent number in different regions within the same array.

The illustrated sensor mount 24 is disposed along a side portion of thelength of the intake duct 20 and near the throttle body coupling 30,though further from the throttle body coupling than the illustratedarray of sensor mounts 22. The sensor mount 24 may be configured tomount a variety of sensors/injectors, such as, but not limited to:oxygen saturation sensors, condensation sensors, humidity sensors,temperature sensors, dew point sensors, water injector, nitrousinjector, and so on. Hence, a plethora of sensors may be coupled to thesensor mount 24. The illustrated sensor includes markings/depressions onthe face thereof that provide guide locations for drilling/punchingmounting holes and/or sensor holes through which screws, rivets, pins,etc. and sensor elements may extend through the duct. The sensor mount24 may also have any size and/or shape for mounting sensors to theintake duct 20. For example, the sensor mount 24 may be hexagon-shapedand/or substantially flat.

As shown, the illustrated intake duct 20 also includes a throttle bodycoupling 30 disposed substantially along an end portion of the intakeduct 20. The throttle body coupling 30 may be configured to couple theintake duct 20 to a throttle of a bike. The illustrated throttle bodycoupling 30 is a rubber/elastic material (generally a fiber compositefor strength) that is friction fit about the mount of the duct and sizedto mate with standard/custom throttle body mouths. For instance, thethrottle body coupling 30 may couple the intake duct 20 to a throttle bythreading, friction-fit, bolting, adhesion, and so on. Accordingly, thethrottle body coupling 30 may have any size, shape, diameter,circumference, etc. for coupling the intake duct 20 to a throttle.

The illustrated throttle body coupling 30 has a coupling device 32. Thecoupling device 32 is shown disposed around a circumference of thethrottle body coupling 30. The coupling device 32, may be tightened bytwisting a handle, such as a vice or a ring clamp. The coupling device32 may include a bolt for tightening. As a result, an effective diameterof the coupling device 32 may be increased and decreased. For example,the diameter of the coupling device 32 may be decreased in order tocouple the throttle body coupling 30 to the intake duct 20 bytension-fit or may be increased to allow for the throttle body couplingto be removed or repositioned from/on the duct.

Also shown, the illustrated intake duct 20 includes a prefilter bodycage 40 disposed along an end portion of the intake duct 20 opposite thethrottle body coupling 30. The prefilter body cage 40 aids in thecollection and filtration of air as it enters the intake duct 20,allowing air to pass therethrough but providing a physical barrier tosnow/ice/etc. As illustrated, the prefilter body cage 40 flares out to awider diameter than the duct and has a flat wide front and short lengthas compared to the duct. However, the prefilter body cage 40 may havevariation in size and/or shape from that illustrated for collectingand/or filtering air and preventing water penetration.

The illustrated prefilter body cage 40 includes a front of cage 42 and acoupling collar 44. As shown, the front of cage 42 is configured with agrid of bars/barriers with open spaces between to allow air to bereceived by the prefilter body cage 40 and into the intake duct 20,while providing cage-like structure to help in preventing waterpenetration and to support any textile filter coupled thereto. Asillustrated, the front of cage 42 is substantially flat and wide, havinga similar width/diameter to that of the flared out cage. The cage 42 mayflare out to create a large surface area; however, smaller flaringallows for greater angle variation on the intake duct 20. The front ofcage 42 is substantially flat and may be gently bowed/textured in or outinstead of exactly flat, so long as the shape of the front does notcause the cage to be elongated at the front. The sharp cut-off in lengthat the front provides a better ratio of performance to size for the snowbike intake and makes it much easier for a single model to fit into agreat variety of dirt bike air boxes. The illustrated front of cage 42is also grid-like and has apertures for movement of air and preventionof water intake.

As illustrated, the coupling collar 44 couples the prefilter body cage40 to the intake duct 20. For instance, the coupling collar 44 maycouple the prefilter body cage 40 to the intake duct 20 by threading.However, the coupling collar 44 may include a variety of couplingmechanisms, such as, but not limited to: adhesives, bolts, friction,tension, male and female components, snapping, pressing, spring-locks,locking-lug connectors, etc. The coupling mechanisms of the couplingcollar may allow for selective coupling and decoupling of the cage 40 tothe duct 20.

Looking to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a snow hike intake havingillustration markings to illustrate various measurements of angle andlength discussed herein, according to one embodiment of the invention.As shown, there is a diameter of duct 90 and diameter of cage 91,wherein the diameter of the duct is smaller than the diameter of thecage and therefore the cage is flared out with respect to the duct.There is also illustrated a throttle line 92 and an intake line 93,which are parallel to axis lines of the first and second portions of theduct defined as the straight regions of the duct on either side of theelbow thereof. An interior angle 94 and an exterior angle 95 are formedby an intersection of the throttle line 92 and the intake line 93. Theillustrated interior angle 94, which may be referred to as the angle ofthe elbow, is approximately 45 degrees. The illustrated snow bike intakealso has a throttle body connector length 96, a duct length 97, and aduct plus cage length 98.

The illustrated diameter of duct 90 provides an opening, similar to ahose. As a result, the diameter of duct 90 allows air to flow throughthe intake duct (See e.g., FIG. 1, Item 20) and into a combustion engineof a snow bike. The illustrated diameter of cage 91 also provides anopening to allow air to enter into the intake duct (See e.g., FIG. 1,Item 20). As shown, the diameter of cage 91 is greater than the diameterof duct 90.

As illustrated, the throttle line 92 follows a line of the throttle bodycoupling (See e.g., FIG. 1, Item 30), while the illustrated intake line93 follows a line of the intake duct (See e.g., FIG. 1, Item 20). Theintersection of the throttle line 92 and the intake line 93 for theillustrated interior angle 94 and exterior angle 95. As shown, theinterior angle 94 is acute and the exterior angle 95 is obtuse.

The illustrated throttle body length 96 follows a length and curvatureof the throttle body coupling (See e.g., FIG. 1, Item 30). In addition,the illustrated duct length 97 follows a length and curvature of theintake duct (See e.g., FIG. 1, Item 20). Too, the illustrated duct pluscage length 98 follows a length and curvature of the intake duct (Seee.g., FIG. 1, Item 20) and a length and curvature of the prefilter bodycage (See e.g., FIG. 1, Item 40).

According to one embodiment, there is a snow bike intake, snow bikeconversion kit, and/or air intake pod snow bike conversion kit, thatincludes one or more of the following: a throttle body coupling 30; acoupling device 32; an intake duct 20 that may be elbow-shaped and/ormay be selectably coupleable to the throttle body coupling 30 via thecoupling device 32, the duct 20 may have an interior angle between 40and 60 degrees; a pre-filter body cage 40 that may be selectablycoupleable at a rear thereof to the duct 20 via a mating structuresdisposed on the duct 20 and the cage 40; and/or a textile cover that maybe shaped to fit about the cage 40 and selectably attach thereto.

It may be that the duct 20 includes a sensor mount 24 disposed through abody of the duct 20. It may be that, the sensor mount 24 is flat on boththe exterior and interior surfaces thereof. It may be that the sensormount 24 is part of an array of sensor mounts 22 disposed in a ringcircumscribing and extending through the body of the duct 20. It may bethat the array of sensors 22 forms a continuous regular polygon aboutthe perimeter of the duct 20.

It may be that the cage 40 includes a coupling collar with matingstructures for coupling to the duct 20. The duct 20 may also includemating structures. It may be that the mating structures are selectedfrom the group of mating structures consisting of: threading, frictionfittings, spring-locks, and locking-lug connectors.

It may be that the cage 40 has a flat front 42 opposite the rear. Thecage 40 may have a flat front 42 that is substantially horizontal inprofile. It may be that the flat front 42 of the cage 40 has a largerdiameter than a diameter of the rear. Accordingly, the cage 40 may besubstantially funnel-shaped and/or may funnel air.

It may be that the duct 20 has an aspect ratio of exterior angle length97 to diameter 90 no greater than one or more of 2.5:1, 2.6:1, 2.7:1,2.8:1, 2.9:1, 3.0:1, 3.1:1, 3.2:1, 3.3:1, 3.4:1, 3.5:1, 3.6:1, 3.7:1,3.8:1, and 3.9:1. It has been observed that optimal airflow andprotection from snow build-up within airboxes occurs at these aspectratios. It may be that the duct 20 and prefilter 40 combined has anaspect ratio of exterior angle length 98 to diameter 91 no greater than4.0:1, 4.1:1, 4.2:1, 4.3:1, 4.4:1, 4.5:1, 4.6:1, 4.7:1, 4.8:1, and4.9.1. It has been observed that optimal airflow and protection fromsnow build-up within airboxes occurs at these aspect ratios.

In operation, a snow bike intake is installed on a dirt bike in order toconvert the dirt bike into a snow bike. An array of sensor mounts 22 anda sensor mount 24 are disposed on an intake duct 20. A throttle bodycoupling 30 is coupled to one end portion of the intake duct 20 byinserting the intake duct 20 into the throttle body coupling 30 andtightening a coupling device 32. A prefilter body cage 40 is coupled toan end portion of the intake duct 20 opposite the throttle body coupling30. The prefilter body cage 40 is coupled to the intake duct 20 bythreading disposed along at an end portion of the duct 20 opposite thethrottle body coupling 30, and by threading disposed along a coupling 44of the prefilter body cage 40. The throttle body coupling 30 is coupledto a bike throttle at an end portion opposite the intake duct 20. Thefront of cage 42 of the prefilter body cage 40 prevents moisture fromentering the intake duct 20. Accordingly, the intake duct 20 may beeasily and simply installed on a snow bike.

FIG. 5 is an exploded side perspective view of a snow bike conversionkit, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown anintake duct 20. The intake duct 20 may be coupled to a throttle bodycoupling 30 by a coupling device 32. The intake duct 20 may also becoupled to a prefilter body cage 40. A textile cover 50 may be coupledto the prefilter body cage 40.

The illustrated intake duct 20 is curved. The intake duct 20 may becoupled to the throttle body coupling 30 and the throttle body coupling30 may couple to a throttle of a snow bike. The intake duct 20 maycouple to the throttle body coupling 30 through a variety of couplingmethods, such as, but not limited to: threading, adhesives, bolts,friction, tension, male and female components, snapping, pressing,spring-locks, locking-lug connectors, etc. As illustrated, the intakeduct 20 may couple to the throttle body coupling 30 by the couplingdevice 32.

As illustrated, the coupling device 32 may be disposed around acircumference of the throttle body coupling 30. The coupling device 32,may be tightened by twisting a handle, such as a vice or a ring clamp.The coupling device 32 may include a bolt for tightening. As a result, adiameter of the coupling device 32 may be increased and decreased. Forexample, the diameter of the coupling device 32 may be decreased inorder to couple the throttle body coupling 30 to the intake duct 20 bytension-fit.

The illustrated intake duct 20 may also be coupled to the prefilter bodycage 40. As shown, the intake duct 20 may couple to the prefilter bodycage 40 by the illustrated threading. However, the intake duct 20 maycouple to the prefilter body cage 40 through a variety of couplingmethods, such as, but not limited to: adhesives, bolts, friction,tension, male and female components, snapping, pressing, spring-locks,locking-lug connectors, etc.

As illustrated, a textile cover 50 may be coupled to the prefilter bodycage 40 to cover the prefilter body cage 40. The textile cover 50 may becomprised of a variety of textiles, such as, but not limited to: cotton,linen, polyester, silk, rayon, etc. and combinations thereof. Thetextile cover 50 may also include an elastic portion for stretching overthe prefilter body cage 40 and/or may include a draw cord or othersecuring structure to couple the mouth of the cover to the cage. As aresult, the textile cover 50 may provide protection to, as well asprovide additional/finer filtration for, the prefilter body cage 40.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the intake duct of FIG. 5, showingan array of sensor mounts, according to one embodiment of the invention.There is shown an interior cavity 60 disposed substantially within aninterior surface of sensor mount 62. Disposed opposite the interiorsurface of sensor mount 62 is an exterior surface of sensor mount 64.Disposed substantially through the interior surface of sensor mount 62and the exterior surface of sensor mount 64 is a sensor 66. Theillustrated sensor 66 has an interior plate 67 disposed substantiallyalong the interior surface of sensor mount 62, and an exterior plate 68disposed substantially along the exterior surface of sensor mount 64.The illustrated sensor 66 also has a sensor cord 69 coupled to thesensor 66 and extending outwardly therefrom, substantially away from theinterior cavity 60.

The illustrated interior cavity 60 is disposed substantially within theinterior surface of sensor mount 62. As shown, the interior cavity 60 issubstantially octagonal. However, the interior cavity 60 may have anysize and/or shape for mounting sensors 66, such as, but not limited to:octagonal, pentagonal, hexagonal, square, triangular, circular, etc.

As illustrated, a sensor 66 is disposed substantially through theinterior surface of sensor mount 62 and the exterior surface of sensormount 64. Accordingly, there may be any distance between the interiorsurface of sensor mount 62 and the exterior surface of sensor mount 64for mounting sensors 66. As shown, the interior surface sensor mount 62and the exterior surface sensor mount 64 are substantially flat.Similarly, the solitary sensor mount 24 may be flat on both the exteriorand the interior of the duct.

The illustrated interior plate 67 is disposed substantially along theinterior surface of sensor mount 62, and the illustrated exterior plate68 is disposed substantially along the exterior surface of sensor mount62. As shown, the interior plate 67 and the exterior plate 68 aresubstantially flat. The interior plate 67 and the exterior plate 68provide coupling and stabilizing for the sensor to the sensor mounts(See e.g., FIG. 1, Items 22 and 24). As shown, a single sensor 66 isillustrated; however, a plurality of sensors/injectors 66, such as anarray (See e.g., FIG. 1, item 24) may be disposed about the intake duct(See e.g., FIG. 1, Item 20).

The illustrated sensor 66 includes a sensor cord 69. As shown, thesensor cord 69 is coupled to the sensor 66 and extends outwardlytherefrom. The sensor cord 69 may gather external data, such as, but notlimited to, atmospheric data, for the sensor 66. The sensor cord 69 mayalso assist in removal of the sensor 66. As a result, the sensor cordmay have any size and/or shape for collecting data and/or removal.Similarly, a variety of sensors 66 may be mounted about the intake duct(See e.g., FIG. 1, Item 20), such as, but not limited to: oxygensaturation sensors, condensation sensors, humidity sensors, temperaturesensors, dew point sensors, and so on.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a snow bike intake, according toone embodiment of the invention. There is shown a throttle body coupling70 with a coupling device 72 disposed about the throttle body coupling70. The throttle body coupling 70 is coupled to a coupling collar 74.Coupled to the coupling collar 74 at an end opposite the throttle bodycoupling 70 is a prefilter body cage 76.

The illustrated throttle body coupling 70 is elbow shaped. Accordingly,the illustrated throttle body coupling 70 is angular and bent. As aresult, the throttle body coupling 70 provides a curve to the snow bikeintake. Also, the illustrated throttle body coupling 70 includes acoupling device 72. As shown, the coupling device 72 couples thethrottle body coupling 70 to the coupling collar 74. The coupling device72 may couple the throttle body coupling 70 to the coupling collar 74 bytension. For example, in one non-limiting embodiment, the couplingdevice may be a ring clamp. However, the throttle body coupling 70 maycouple to the coupling collar 74 through a variety of coupling methods,such as, but not limited to: adhesives, bolts, friction, tension, maleand female components, snapping, pressing, spring-locks, locking-lugconnectors, etc.

As illustrated, the coupling collar 74 is coupled to a prefilter bodycage 76 at an end opposite the throttle body coupling 70. As shown, thecoupling collar 74 has a length that is substantially small.Accordingly, the coupling collar 74 may be substantially compact.However, the coupling collar 74 may have any size/and or shape forcoupling. Additionally, the coupling collar 74 may be inherent in theprefilter body cage 76 so that the coupling collar 74 and the prefilterbody cage 76 are a single continuous piece. For instance, the couplingcollar 74 may be an extension of the prefilter body cage 76.

FIG. 8 is a partial side perspective view of an intake duct showing asensor coupled to a sensor mount, according to one embodiment of theinvention. There is shown an intake duct. A sensor mount is coupled tothe intake duct and a sensor is coupled to the sensor mount.

The illustrated intake duct includes a sensor mount coupled to theintake duct. As shown, the sensor mount is coupled to a side portion ofthe intake duct. In addition, the sensor mount is coupled substantiallynear a bend of the intake duct. The sensor mount may have any sizeand/or shape for mounting a sensor. More, the intake duct may includeany number of sensor mounts, coupled to the intake duct at variouslocations, for mounting sensors.

As illustrated, a sensor is coupled to the sensor mount. The sensor maysense a variety of factors and/or provide information to the intakeduct. For example, the sensor may detect moisture.

FIG. 9 is a partial side elevational view of a partially dismantled dirtbike showing an intake duct coupled to a throttle body, according to oneembodiment of the invention. There is shown an intake duct coupled tothe bike near the throttle. The illustrated intake duct includes aprefilter body cage.

As shown, the intake duct is coupled to the bike and extends outwardlytherefrom. The intake duct is elbow-shaped is substantially curved. Theprefilter body cage is coupled to the intake duct opposite the bike. Asa result, the intake duct may prevent moisture from entering thethrottle.

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of an open air box of a dirt bikeshowing a snow bike intake therein, according to one embodiment of theinvention. There is shown a prefilter body cage disposed substantiallywithin a sensor box of the bike. In the illustrated view, the remainderof the snow bike intake is obscured by the flared cage. The sensor boxincludes a cover that may be disposed over the sensor box and cover theprefilter body cage.

The illustrated prefilter body cage has a flat front of cage.Accordingly, the prefilter body cage may be entirely disposed within thesensor box. Also, the flat front of cage may allow the cover to bedisposed over the sensor box so that the entire prefilter body cage iscovered when the sensor box is closed.

It is understood that the above-described embodiments are onlyillustrative of the application of the principles of the presentinvention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Thedescribed embodiment is to be considered in all respects only asillustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription. All changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

For example, although the mounting points are configured to mountsensors, a variety of accessories may be mounted to the mounting points.Also, the intake duct may have any number of mounting points. Further,the mounting points may have any size, shape, or arrangement formounting.

Additionally, although the figures illustrate a ring clamp and threadingfor coupling, a variety of coupling methods may be used, such as, butnot limited to: adhesives, bolts, friction, tension, male and femalecomponents, snapping, pressing, spring-locks, locking-lug connectors,etc.

It is expected that there could be numerous variations of the design ofthis invention. An example is that the intake duct may have a simpledesign. For example, the intake duct may be short or compact. Likewise,the intake duct may be an extension of the prefilter body cage. More,the intake duct may be a pod for air intake.

It is also envisioned that the components of the device may have anysize and/or shape for air intake. For instance, the prefilter body cagemay flare out. Similarly, the front of cage may be substantially flat.

Finally, it is envisioned that the components of the device may beconstructed of a variety of materials, such as, but not limited to:plastic, metal, rubber, textiles, etc. and combinations thereof.

Thus, while the present invention as been fully described above withparticularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed tobe the most practical and preferred embodiment of the invention, it willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerousmodifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size,materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly anduse may be made, without departing from the principles and concepts ofthe invention as set forth in the claims. Further, it is contemplatedthat an embodiment may be limited to consist of or to consistessentially of one or more of the features, functions, structures,methods described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A snow bike intake, comprising: a. a throttlebody coupling; b. an elbow-shaped intake duct coupled to the throttlebody coupling, the duct having an interior angle between 40 and 60degrees and including a sensor mount disposed through a body of theduct, wherein the sensor mount is flat on both the exterior and interiorsurfaces thereof and the sensor mount is part of an array of sensormounts disposed in a ring circumscribing and extending through the bodyof the duct; and c. a prefilter body coupled to the duct opposite thethrottle body coupling.
 2. The intake of claim 1, wherein the array ofsensors forms a continuous regular polygon about the perimeter of theduct.
 3. The intake of claim 1, wherein the pre-filter body is a cagestructure having a flat front opposite the duct that is wider than thediameter of the duct.
 4. The intake of claim 1, wherein the duct has anaspect ratio of exterior angle length to diameter no greater than 3.5:1.5. The intake of claim 2, wherein the duct and prefilter combined has anaspect ratio of exterior angle length to diameter no greater than 4.5:1.6. The intake of claim 1, wherein the prefilter body is a flared cage.7. The intake of claim 6, further comprising a pre-filter cowl coupledabout the pre-filter.
 8. A snow bike conversion kit, comprising: a. athrottle body coupling; b. a coupling device; c. are elbow-shaped intakeduct selectably coupleable to the throttle body coupling via thecoupling device, the duct having an interior angle between 40 and 60degrees and including a sensor mount disposed through a body of dieduct, wherein the sensor mount is flat on both the exterior and interiorsurfaces thereof and the sensor mount is part of an array of sensormounts disposed in a ring circumscribing and extending through the bodyof the duct; d. a pre-filter body cage selectably coupleable at a rearthereof to the duct via a mating structures disposed on the duct and thecage; and e. a textile cover shaped to fit about the cage and selectablyattach thereto.
 9. The intake of claim 8, wherein the array of sensorsforms a continuous regular polygon about the perimeter of the duct. 10.The intake of claim 9, wherein the mating structures are selected fromthe group of mating structures consisting of: threading, frictionfittings, spring-locks, and locking-lug connectors.
 11. The intake ofclaim 10, wherein the cage has a flat front opposite the rear.
 12. Theintake of claim 11, wherein the flat front of the cage has a largerdiameter than a diameter of the rear.
 13. The intake of claim 12,wherein the duct has an aspect ratio of exterior angle length todiameter no greater than 3.5:1.
 14. The intake of claim 13, wherein theduct and prefilter combined has an aspect ratio of exterior angle lengthto diameter no greater than 4.5:1.
 15. An air intake pod, comprising: a.a throttle body coupling; b. an elbow-shaped intake duct coupled to thethrottle body coupling, the duct having an interior angle between 40 and60 degrees and including a sensor mount disposed through a body of theduct, wherein the sensor mount is flat on both the exterior and interiorsurfaces thereof, and wherein the duct has an aspect ratio of exteriorangle length to diameter no greater than 3.5:1 and wherein the sensormount is part of an array of sensor mounts disposed in a ringcircumscribing and extending through the body of the duct; and c. apre-filter body coupled to the duct opposite the throttle body coupling.16. The pod of claim 15, wherein the pre-filter body is a cage structurehaving a flat front opposite the duct that is wider than a diameter ofthe duct and wherein the duct and prefilter body combined has an aspectratio of exterior angle length to diameter no greater than 4.5:1.